Centrifugal treatment of substances



June 3, 1930. 1.. P. SHARPLES Q 1,761,593

CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES Filed March 12, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 930. L. P. SHARPLES 1,761,593

CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES Filed March 12, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 :fIlIllIIlIIlI/IIIIIII M BYWMWM June 3, 1930. P. SHARPLES 1,761,593

CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES Filed March 12, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Svwemtoz %l U, ca W 351 744% Shim W135 Patented June 3, 1930 UNETED STATES PATENT orricia LAURENCE I, SHARBLE carame E NSYLV N A A$IGN0R o THE SHARBLES D ARE SPECIALTY c mer? '01 PE Ns L e 'ie A R PQ 0 r mrueet ar-ems Q mewas Application f led March 12, 1 9217. Serial No. 1 74, 975.

This invention relates to a centrifugal process and apparatus and particularly to a process and apparatus wherein solid particles are centrifugally separatedfrom mixtures thereof'with liquids.

In the practice of my invention solid particles are centrifugally' separated from liquids by sedimentation under the action of centrifugal force with the consequent formation of a cake "or layer of solid particles and the liquids are drained from that cake or layer by centrifugal force. Also, in the practice of my invention, a cake or layer of'solid particles that has been so produced by sedimentation under the influence of centrifugal force, and which has or has not' been previously so drained of liquid by centrifugal force, may be centrifugally washed or otherwise centrifugallytreated with liquid while under the influence of centrifugal force. And,

in accordance with myinventio'n, a cakeor layer of solids produced by sedimentation under the action of centrifugal force may be removed from centrifugal "mechanism that is capable of so forming it and that is capable of draining liquids from it centrifuge-11y and that may be capable of subjecting such cake to Washing brother treatment by liquids under centrifugal force, by'an auxiliary tool, preferably without change of speed of rotation of the centrifugal mechanism. 7

i In accordance with my invention mixtures of liquids and solids, which mixtures are of a wide range of characteristics and proportionsbut particularly mixtures in which the solid constituent of the mixture is in fine particles and constitutes a small percentage of the mixture, are introduced into an imperforate centrifugal bowl and subjectedto the action of centrifugal force to separate the solids from the liquids by sedimentation and to form a layer or cake of solids'in the bowl. During the building up of such a cake or layer, the liquid may be removed fromthe bowl by being centrifugally discharged therefrom over a weir or by being skimmed out. In accordance with invention the bowl in which the cake is so formed is provided with means whereby a liquid may be centrifugally drained from the cake. Thus, as one embodiment of my invention the cake may be so formed in a compartment of the centrifugal bbwhwhich compartment is separated from the remainder of the bowl by a perforated partition, and the liquid is removed, as

by skimming, from that remaining portion ofwthelbowl ineifecting such centrifugal action ofcentrifugal force during the formation of the cake. Also, in accordance with my inventiona cake that has been so formed may, with or without'preliminary employment of the draining or'straining step above described, be subjected to centrifugal washing or other centrifugal treatment with liquid, while under the action of centrifugal force, in various ways. For example, liquid may be withdrawn from the compartment in which the cake is formed andreintroduced-into the other compartment of the bowl, or vice versa or a liquid of desired characteristics may be introduced into the compartment of the bowl in which the cake is not formed and removed from the other compartment of the'bowl or vice 'versa; and other variations of the liquid-washing or liquid-treating operation 'are described herein or will be apparent tothose using my invention. the liquid through the cake in a radially inward or a radially outward direction or in the general direction of the axis of rotation. In other words the liquid may be introduced to the cake at any point and withdrawn there from at a p'oin't'o'pera tively remote from the point of introduction; As a matter of economy or to improve a process in which my invention is applied, a newly formed cake'may be washed with liquid that hasbeen used for a l:econd washing of a previously "formed ca e.

An important advantage of my invention resides'in thefact'that the eifectiveness of a washing'or treating of the cake with liquid is Such variations include passing greatly increased because the residual liquid of the cake is reduced to a relative low proportion of the cake in the centrifugal straining or draining operation as compared with the proportion of water remaining in a body of the same solids after mere gravity draining or common mechanical squeezing. By so thoroughly removing from the cake the liquid of an earlier washing as little as half as much liquid is necessary to attain the same effect in a subsequent washing, as compared with the amount of liquid necessary for a subsequent washing of a cake or mass from which the liquid of a previous washing has been removed merely by gravity draining or squeezing, or even for a washing of a cake formed by centrifugal force within a body of liquid and not thereafter centrifugally drained.

In accordance with my invention a cake of solid material that has been so produced and so treated is removed from a centrifugal bowl by an auxiliary tool and apparatus embodying my invention comprises a centrifugal bowl and associated mechanism where by a cake may be so produced and so treated and it embodies means whereby such a cake may be removed from such bowl.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description wherein the construction and operation of one form of apparatus embodying .my invention is set forth for the purpose of aiding in the understanding of my invention but with the understanding that my'invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment described.

In the drawings which accompany the specification and in which like reference characters indicate similar parts,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of apparatus embodying my invention and whereby my process may be practised.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view generally on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with parts broken away, of a modification.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View, with parts broken away, of a modification.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view on the line 55; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view.

Referring to the drawings'in which are shown illustrative embodiments of my invention, which are subject to modification within the spirit of my invention, an imperforate centrifugal bowl 10 is mounted for rotation upon a shaftll that is supported in bearings 12 and is provided with a pulley 13 or similar driving element.

Within the bowl 10 and co-axial therewith is a perforate or pervious partition or screen 14 that is spaced from the inner wall of bowl 10 and is held in spaced relation therefrom by a spacing member 15, a convenient form of which is a woven wire screen or fabric, that will permit free flow of liquid between screen 14 and bowl 10. Screen 14 may be of any suitable form so long as it holds back solid particles to a desired degree. Within bowl 10 and spaced from one end thereof is a disk 16 that extends radially inward from partition 14 and forms with the end of bowl 10 a compartment that is usually a liquid compartment 18 and which forms with the space between screen 14 and the inner wall of the bowl, an auxiliary compartment. Within the bowl and spaced from the other end thereof is a partition 17 that extends radially inward from screen 14 and forms with said other end of the bowl a compartment 19.

Within the bowl and surrounding the hub 20 thereof is a plate having a conical portion 21 and a disk-like portion 22. This plate extends in spaced relation with the hub 20 and the plate 19 to provide a supply passage 24 into which substances are introducedthrough pipe 23. Extending radially within supply passage 24 are wings 25 which ensure that substances introduced into supply passage 24 will attain substantially the speed of the bowl by the time they pass from supply passage 24 into the bowl proper. Supply passage 24 leads into the main separating compartment 26 of the bowl, which lies between partitions 16 and 17 and radially inward of screen 14.

The bowl being imperforate a mixture of solid particles with liquid, when introduced through supply 23, is separated by sedimentation or subsidence into a layer of solid particles and a layer of liquid, as compared with the separation which occurs in a perforate centrifugal shell in which the solid is retained in such perforate shell and the liquid is thrown out through the perforations in a straining or draining operation. While the mixture is being supplied to bowl 10, the bowl will fill up until the inner surface of the liquid, when the solid is heavier than the liquid, lies at or radially outward of the inner edge of partition 16 and a layer or zone of solid particles will form on screen 14. Then clear liquid may be skimmed from the surface of the liquid in the main compartment 26 by a skimmer 27; and this operation proceeds until a suitable body of solid particles has been collected in the bowl by centrifugal subsidence. Or, since partition 17 does not engage the inner wall of the bowl 10 and liquid will assume the same level in the compartment 18 that it assumes in compartment 26, liquid may be skimmed from compartment 18 by skimmer 28; but usually clearer liquid is obtainable from the inner surface of liquid in the main compartment.

After a body of solid particles is separated out and collected in compartment 26 by centrifugal sedimentation and the supply of mixture to the bowl is stopped, skimmer 28 may IKE-615E913 be m ved, successiv y t radial y ou er no it-ions thereby w hd awi g are and ner liquid fr m the bowl with the re ult; that; a bedy f. soli par icles is ubjected to c ntrifugal draini g e training: Wi hout in erption f; the i luence of centrifug l for ey ak ng e 1 has e-coni al in fer-n skimmer- 28 will skim liquid from a point. radially outward of any part of the body of li s-t Oth r bowl formatien may e pl yecl to accomp i h he same purp sehdjus abi-l-i y f he. al di tanc of himmers 2 a d 28. rom he bo xis: is h: tained by mounting the skimmersslidably in b eok ts; 3 0 a d providing hem ith lugs 31 hrough hi h is th a ed a shaft- 32 hat mounted i r rotation in bracke s and held again t l ngitudi a m ion there n by eeller By r ne, S af by me ns of hand Wheel 34k, lug 3:1 is moved longitudinally of the shaft 32. andh kimm r to hich l g 3,1 is, attached is adjusted at desired radial dis; tance from. th a is. T kim r may ha ny s ta le c stru ti n and m y b provided with nozzles 35, it being understood h t th owl rotat s in the. di ecti o the arrow in igu e 1, 5 and .1 After a cake r layer s l d. P rt cles has een produced y a centr fugal ed ment ien, and, if desired, after su h a cake has been centrifugal y dr in the cake may be trea ed with, hqui o ui able, c aracterist c r a hed hile ill underthe ac n of c ntrifug l for e. and tha liq id may e caused t pass h ough the s id pa ieles by cen fugal sedim ntation- For this purp e liquid may be supp i by p pe- 37 and d s: har th gh n zzle 36 i to c mpar ment 1 And, liquid, W hdrawn by himm r 27 may, su je t to eentre by a ve 8 0 pa sed throug pipe 29 to p pe 3?- L qui 'with= dr w r m eompartm ht2 by skimme 2: may e pa s t st rag hrough flexibl pipe 4:0 a d liq id Wi hd awn through sk m me 2 may be passed to storage through flexible pip it More r, the end o the bowl is p ded with pe ings 42- thet ead into compartment 19 and on -the end i the bo l. sur ounding openings 2 is annu ar ro gh nd in th t annul r tr ugh liquid maybe introduced y pipe 4 whe eup n it will pass into compartment 19 and into the space betw en screen 14; a th inner w of he bowl- By sk mming quid u f h m in ompar ment 25, by m an of skimmer 2?, liq i intro uced eith r into compare meat 18 er mpar m n s cause e p ss radia ly inward through the body of solid particles by c ntrifugal sub iden e and is kimmed bi y means o skimmer .2 nder ontrol of val e a liqu d skimmed from main ompartment 26 by skimmer '27 may be pa se h ough flexib e pipe 6 to the P pet e s hat it e ters he'bewl and gai passes by eentr tu el sedimen ati n through the ody of solid particles therein for thepurpose of washing or treating the solid particlesl Pipe 47 is provided for supplying other liquids through pipe 4A to the centrifugal bowl. Liquids centrifugally discharged from the bowl as y p ssingeyer g ay e ollected in a casing 50 that surrounds the bowl and passed by means of pump 51 to storage through pipe 52 or by pipe 53 to pipe 4.4,

From the foregoing it will be apparent that with the apparatus so far described a mixture of liquid with solid particles can be introduced into an irnperforate centrifugal bowl and liquid can be discharged centrifugally through Skimmers withdrawing liquid from. either the main compartment or an xi iary p rtm nt W ile a y r of oli particles is formed by sedimentation. And,

it will be apparent that the layer for-med by v edim nta i n ay b lg ly drain d- It will also be apparent that the layer or cake fse id f r r a t n i ga draining, may be treated with liquid under the action of; centrifugal force by introducing such q d. h ug the ma n upp y Passage 2ft or into either compartment 18 or 13 While withdrawing the liquid from compartment 26, Or liquid may be withdrawn from compartment 18. And, liquid withdrawn from one compartment may be reintroduced into another compartment to eflect continuous Washi g o ea m n nder the inf ence of centrifugal force by the same body of liquid. Moreo it th re re no Wingsin comp r men 1% iqui n u e th te Will n t l g behind h t g b wl and in p s ng through the space between screen 14 and the nn w l o h o l, ill u h o tha spaei D cont nu nce. f s pply to t ebow dra n ng r o may e. arried ou at any ime during cake f rm ng or w sh ng operatio s,

T mo e a ake or aye of: ol d. Parti le from the bowl without stopping it an auXilT iar-y tool 5a is so constructed and mounted as to dislodg the s li part le and to us them to drop into a hopper 55 positioned within casing 50 and extending into bowl 10, the solid Pa i es di ha gi g thro gh p l ltb t In the construction shown a tool support 58 x ends. h eugh a open ng in ca 50 and is held in place therein by bolts 57. The tool support 58 comprises a bearing support: ing an internally threaded bar 59 on which is mounted tool 54. Surrounding an outward extension of support 58 is a cylindrical memher 60 provided with a sli es a lug 62 ie by t 58, her y y lindrical member 60 and bar 59 are caused to rotate together and bar 59 is permitted to move longitudinally in member 60. Cylindrical member 60 carries a worm gear 63 that s engaged by a W m 6 m te n a et 65 and operated by hand wheel 66 Thus rotatieu of member 60 will, as ho n in .Fis: 5,

'girooye 61 in which cause tool 54 to swing about the axis of rod 59 and toward and from screen 14 and into engagement with a cake carried thereby. Fitting into the outer end of cylindrical member 60 is a bracket member 67 that is supported from the casing 50, and passing through bracket member 67 is a threaded shaft 68 that is held against axial movement by collars 69 fiXed thereto. Shaft 68 is threaded into bar 59 and when rotated by hand wheel 70 tool 54 is caused to move back and forth along the face of the cake in bowl 10. Thus, while solid particles are still under the influence of centrifugal force they may be withdrawn from a bowl that is so constructed as to form a cake by sedimentation and to drain the cake and to permit of its washing or other treatment with liquid.

In the construction shown in Figure 3 the withdrawal of liqu d from the main compartment 26 of bowl 10 is effected by passing the liquid over a weir and discharging it from the bowl 10. The annular partition 16, which divides the main compartment 26 from compartment 18 extends from the screen 14 to a point radially inward of the edge 60 of the adjacent end of bowl 10 so that l quid would pass around the outside of partition 16 and over the edge 6O but it could not pass over the inner edge of partition 16 and over the top of the liquid in compartment 18 and then overthe edge 60 as is possible in the construction shown in Figure 2. An annular member 61 of angular cross-section is carried by partition 16 and forms with it a trough, the edge 62 of which constitutes a weir that fixes the radial position of the surface of liquid in compartment 26. Liquid flowing over weir 62 is centrifugally discharged from the bowl through tubes 68 that pass through the shell of bowl 10. During the separation of solid particles from a liquid by sedimentation, liquid will pass over weir 62 and through pipe 63 into casing and may be withdrawn therefrom by pump 51 and passed through pipe 52-. Centrifugal draining of the body of solid particles may be effected by skimming liquid from compartment 18 by advancing the end of skimmer 28 from position A to position B at which latter position it skims liquid from substantially the radially outermost point of the interior of the bowl. ashing of the cake may be effected by passing liquid supplied by pipe 37 either into compartment 18 through nozzle 86 or into compartment 19 through pipes 46 and 44-. Washing may be effected by passing liquid collected in casing 50 through pipes 46 and 37 and nozzle 36 into compartment 18 or by pipe 44 into compartment 19. In washing operations liquid may be supplied through nozzle 36 and pipe 44 at the same time. Washing liquid may also be introduced through supply nozzle 23. Furthermore skimmer 28 could be used for removing liquid during the building up of the cake by sedimentation or for removing, washing, or treating liquid. If washing or treating liquid is introduced into compartment 18 or compartment 19 or into both of those compartments and passed out over weir 62 the washing liquid passes radially inward by sedimentation through the layer of solid particles. If washing liquid is introduced through supply nozzle 23 and withdrawn from compartment 18 it passes radially outward by sedimentation through the layer of solid particles in the bowl. Obviously weir 62 must lie radially outward from edge of the end of the bowl.

In the construction shown in Figure 4 the imperforate centrifugal bowl 10, which in all modifications shown is of the type wherein separation is effected by sedimentation, is provided with a perforate or pervious partition 16 extending radially inward from the inner wall thereof and forming with the end of the bowl a compartment 18 leaving the remainder of the bowl as a main compartment 26. Partition 16 preferably consists of plate 64 having relatively large perforations and a screen 65 having perforations or porosity of desired magnitude and an intermediate spacing member 66 which may conveniently consist of a sheet of woven wire screen that will permit circulation of liquid between plate 645 and screen 65*. Within the spirit of my invention skimmer 27 may act upon the surface of liquid in the bowl at different points, and in the construction shown in Figure 4 skimmer 27 is shown as acting upon the liquid at the opposite end of the bowl from the point at which skimmer 28 is located. The operation whereby a cake is formed by sedimentation in the construction shown in Figure 4: will be obvious from the foregoing description of the operation of my invention, and in the washing of such a cake fresh liquid or previously used wash liquid may be introduced by nozzle 36 into compartment 18 and withdrawn by skimmer 27 Washing liquid may be introduced through supply nozzle 23 and withdrawn by skimmer 28. Draining of the cake can be effected by adjusting skimmer 28 from position A to position B. Other operations of the construction shown in Figure t will be apparent from the foregoing description.

lVhile several modes of operation have been set out in detail whereby separation of solids from liquids by centrifugal sedimentation is effected with consequent formation of a layer of solid particles and whereby centrifugal draining is effected and whereby washing is effected under the influence of centrifugal force, other modes of procedure, particularly in connection with the introduction and withdrawal of substances and especially introduction and withdrawal of wash liquid, will be apparent. For example, the solid particles may be lighter than the liquid and the cake formed will float upon the surface of "the liquid and will recede to'the screen 14 or to the inner wall of the bowl 1O in the centrifugal draining operation; and in the washing of such a floating cake the wash liquid will preferably be supplied to the surface thereof and be withdrawn from a vradially outward point thereof.

My invention is capable of generalapplication and is well adapted to the extracting of water soluble substances from malt and t0 the recovery of the yeast from its mixture with solid particles.

While I have described my invention in details it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details set forth but includessuch mod-ifications and variations as fall within the hereunto appended claims. In this connection it is pointed out that while I have referred to mixtures of liquids with solid particles, the liquids of such mixtures *may be solutions having various compositions and differing in viscosity and the solid particles may be "of varying'charac'ter including semisolid substances.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solid particles to the action of centrifugal force and thereby separating the liquid from the solid particles by sedimentation and retaining the solidparticles underthe influence of centrifugalforce and thereby formingia cake-ofsolid particles, then withdrawing liquid from a radially out- Ward point of the material under the influence "of centrifugal force and thereby draining the cake,'and treating the solid particles with liquid whilethe solid particles are still under the influence of centrifugal force.

2. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solidlparticles to the action of centrifugal force and thereby separating'the liquid "from the solid particles by sedimentation and centrifugally discharging the liquid while retaining the solid particles under the influence of centrifugal force and thereby forming a cake ofsolid particles,:supplying treating liquid to one point of the solid particles and withdrawing it frorn'the solid particles at a point remote "from said first named *point while the solid particles are under the influence of centrifugal force.

3. In the centrifugaltreatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solidgparticlesi'toth'e action of centrifugal force and'by centrifugal sedimentation separating the liquid from the solid particles while preventing discharge of liquid from a ra'dially outward point of'the material under the influence of centrifugal force, and thereafter centrifugally'draining the liquid from'the'solid particles.

In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solid particles to the action of centrifugal force and by centrifugal sedimentation separating the liquid from the solid particles, thereafter centrifugally draining the liquid from the solid particles, andtr'eating'the drained solid particles with 'li quid while the solid particles are still under the influence of centrifugal force.

5. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solid particles to the actionof cenftri fugal force and by centrifugal sedimentation separating the solid particles from the liquid and thereby forming a cake stationary "in the direction of the axis of rotation, and while the solid particles are still under the influence ofcentrifugal force introducing treating liquid to the solid 'particlesat one point thereof, withdrawing the liquid from "the solid particles at 'a point remote from said first named point, and reintroducing the treating liquid to "the solid p articles at substantially said'pointof introduction.

16. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising subjecting a mixture of liquid with solid'particlesto the action-of centrifugal force and by 'centrifi rgal subsidence separating the liquid from the solid particles while preventing discharge of liquid from :a radially outward "point of the material under the infiuence of centrifugal force, thereafter eentrifugally draining the solid particles while-still under the influence of centrifugal force, and thereafter withdrawing the solid particle's from the influence of centrifugalforceby an auxiliary tool.

.' 7. In the centrifugal treatment of mix- I tures of liquid 'withsolid particles, the process comprising introducing the mixture into the 'in 'fluence o'f centrifugal force and separating the liquid from the solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while preventing discharge of liquid from aradially outward point of the material under 'theinfluence of centrifugal -force, and thereafter withdrawing liquid from a radially outer point of thematerialunder the influen'ce ofcentrifu gal force and thereby centrifugally .draining the solid particles. 7

8. In the centrifugal treatment of a mixture of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising introducing the mixture into the influence of centrifugal forceland thereby separatingjthe lliquid 'fromthe solid particles by centrifugal subsidence, and so supplying treating liquid to and withdrawing it from thematerial under "the influence of centrifugal force as to centrifu'gally pass v such treating liquid through the solid ,particles stationary in the direction of the axis of rotation that are under the "influence :o'f centrifugal force.

9. In the centrifugal treatment of a mixture of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising introducing the mixture into the influence of centrifugal force and thereby separating the liquid from the solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while preventing discharge of liquid from a radially outward point of the material under the influence of centrifugal force, thereafter centrifugally draining the solid particles in the centrifugal bowl, and thereafter removing {)he plrained solid particles from the rotating 10. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising maintaining solid particles under the influence of centrifugal force and stationary in the direction of the axis of rotation, and while the solid particles are still under the influence of centrifugal force introducing a treating liquid to one point thereof and removing the treating liquid from the solid particles at another point thereof.

11. In the centrifugal treatment of a mixture of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising continuously introducin the mixture into the influence of centrifugal force and separting the liquid from the solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while centrifugally discharging liquid from only a radially inward point of the material under the influence of centrifugal force until a desired quantity of solid particles has been collected, and thereafter centrifugally draining the solid particles.

12. In the centrifugal treatment of a mixture of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising continuously introducing the mixture into the influence of centrifugal force and separating the liquid from the solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while centrifugally discharging liquid from the material under the influence of centrifugal force until a desired quantity of solid particles has been collected in the rotating bowl, and then withdrawing liquid from a radially outer point of the rotating material and thereby centrifugally draining the solid particles.

13. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process comprising introducing a mixture of liquids and solids into the in fluence of centrifugal force and by sedimentation producing a cake of the solids, and passing a treating liquid by centrifugal sedimentation through the cake of solid particles and withdrawing the treating liquid from the influence of centrifugal force while maintaining said solids under the influence of centrifugal force.

1 1. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process comprising passing a treating liquid by centrifugal sedimentation through a body of solid particles under the influence of centrifugal force, and then centrifugally draining the body of solid particles while it is still under the influence of centrifugal force.

15. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process comprising introducing a mixture of liquids and solids into the influence of centrifugal force and by sedimentation producing a cake of the solids, and passing a treating liquid by centrifugal sedimentation radially through the cake of solid particles and Withdrawing the treating liquid from the influence of centrifugal force while maintaining said solids under the influence of centrifugal force.

16. In the centrifugal treatment of substances the process comprising maintaining a body of solid particles under the influence of centrifugal force and substantially stationary in the direction of the axis of rotation, and while said particles are still under the influence of centrifugal force passing a treating liquid by centrifugal sedimentation radially inward through the body of solid particles by introducing a treating liquid to one point of said body andv removing the treating liquid from a radially inward point thereof.

17. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and dividing it into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment, means for introducing into said main compartment a substance to be centrifugally treated, and means for withdrawing liquid from said auxiliary compartment at radially different distances from the axis of rotation to the bowl.

18. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and dividing it into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment, means for introducing into said main compartment a substance to be centrifugally treated, means for withdrawing liquid from a radially inward point of said main compartment, and means for withdrawing liquid from a radially outer point of said auxiliary compartment.

19. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and dividing it into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment, means for introducing a substance into said main compartment, means for withdrawing liquid from a radially inward point of said main compartment, and means for introducing liquid into said auxiliary compartment.

20. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and dividing it into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment, means for introducing a substance into said main compartment, and means for withdrawing liquid from a radially inward point of said main compartment and introducing it into said auxiliary compartment.

21. In a centrifugal machine, an iniper forate bowl mounted for rotation, means for introducing liquid to solid material in the rotating bowl at one point, and means for withdrawing said liquid from the solid material at a point remote from said first named point, one of said points being radially out ward of said solid material.

22. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a partition within the bowl and in part pervious and dividing the bowl into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment having a part surrounding said main compartment and a part at one end of said main compartment, means for introducing into said main compartment a substance to be treated, and means for withdrawing liquid from said auxiliary compartment at different radial distances from the axis of rotation.

23. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a partition within the bowl and in part pervious and dividing the bowl into a main compartment and an auxiliary compartment having a part surrounding said main compartment and a part at one end of said main compartment, means for introducing into said main compartment a substance to be treated, means for withdrawing liquid from a radially inward point of said main compartment, and means for introducing liquid into said auxiliary compartment. V

24. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and coaxial therewith and spaced from the wall thereof, a solid disk extending radially inward from said partition and spaced from the end of said bowl, means for introducing a substance into said bowl within said pervious partition and on one side of said disk, and means for withdrawing liquid from said bowl on the other side of said disk.

25. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious i partition within the bowl and coaxial therewith and spaced from the wall thereof, a solid disk extending radially inward from said partition and spaced from the end of said bowl, means for introducing a substance into said bowl within said pervious partition and on one side of said disk, and means for withdrawing liquid from said bowl on the other side of said disk at different radial dis tances from the axis of the bowl.

26. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and coaxial therewith and spaced from the wall thereof, a

solid disk extending radially inward from said partition and spaced from the end of meansfor flushing the space between said pervious partition and the wall of the bowl.

28. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and coaxial therewith and spaced from the wall thereof, means for introducing a substance into said bowl and within said partition, and means for withdrawingliquid from the space between said partition and said bowl.

29. In a centrifugal machine, an imperforate bowl mounted for rotation, a pervious partition within the bowl and coaxial therewith and spaced from the wall thereof, means for introducing a substance into said bowl and within said partition, means for withdrawing liquid from said bowl at a point radially inward of said partition, and means for supplying liquid to said bowl between said partition and the wall thereof.

30. In the centrifugal treatment of mixtures of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising subjecting the mixture to the influence of centrifugal force in an imperforate sedimentation rotor and thereby separating the solid particles from the liquid by centrifugal sedimentation while preventing discharge of liquid from a radially outward point of the material under the influence of centrifugal force, and then centrifugally draining liquid from the solid particles in said rotor while said rotor remains imperforate.

81. In the centrifugal treatment of mixtures of liquid with solid particles, the process comprising subjecting the mixture to the influence of centrifugal force in an imperforate sedimentation rotor and thereby separating the solid particles from the liquid by centrifugal sedimentation while preventing discharge of liquid from a radially outward point of the material under the influence of centrifugal force, and then withdrawing liquid from the rotor at substantially the radially outermost point of its interior and thereby draining said solid particles while said rotor remains imperforate.

32. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising continuously introducing a mixture of liquid with solid particles into the influence of centrifugal force and separating the liquid from solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while centrifugally discharging liquid from the influence of centrifugal force from only a radially inward point of the material under the influence of centrifugal force until a desired quantity of solid particles has been collected, discontinuing the supply of mixture, and then withdrawing liquid from a radially outward point of the collected solids while they are still under the influence of centrifugal force and thereby centrifugally draining the solid particles.

33. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the process comprising continuously introducing a mixture of liquid with solid particles into the influence of centrifugal force and separating the liquid from solid particles by centrifugal subsidence while centrifugally discharging liquid from the influence of centrifugal force until a desired quantity of solid particles has been collected, discontinuing the supply of mixture, then withdrawing liquid from a radially outward point of the collected solids while they are still under the influence of centrifugal force and thereby centrifugally draining the solid particles, and then passing a treating liquid through the body of solid particles by centrifugal sedimentation without substantial cessation of the influence of centrifugal force.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LAURENCE P. SHARPLES. 

